Tidal motor.



H. MONROE.

TIDAL MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR.3.1916.

Patented May 8, 1917.

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1,224,950. Patented May 8, 1917.

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TIDAL MOTOR.

APPLICATION EILED mm. 1916.

1,224,950 Patented my 8, 1917.

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HENRY MONROE, OF FAIRVIEW, KANSAS.

TIDAL MOTOR.

Application filed April 3, 1916.

force of the current striking upon the paddle wheel will cause the same to rotate.

One object of this invention is the production of a tidal motor which is constructed so as to support the paddle wheel upon hollow floats, thereby causing the same to remain at all times upon the surface of the water, thus permitting the current to strike only a portion of the paddle wheel at a time for imparting rotary motion thereto.

Another object of this invention is the production of a tidal motor wherein the floating tanks are hollow so as to increase their buoyancy, while the inner sides are curved inwardly toward their central portions and toward each end thereof, thereby providing an enlarged entrance channel which is reduced adjacent its central portions, so that although a greater quantity of water will be directed between the two floats the narrowness of the channel at its central portion must necessarily, of course, cause the water between the floats to flow with greater rapidity, thus increasing the power of the paddle wheel which is being rotated by this increased supply of water.

Another object of this invention is the production of a tidal motor wherein the paddle wheel mounted upon the floats is formed of a plurality of webs keyed upon a shaft upon which the webs are mounted, these webs being provided with planes which of course, being efliciently reinforced, will cause the water flowing thereagainst to impart rotary motion by means of the webs to the shaft.

With these and other objects in view this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of the tidal Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, 1917.. Serial No. 88,628.

motor, as constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the tidal motor, illustrating the same in use.

Fig. 8 is a central vertical section through the tidal motor.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the planes detached.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective View of one of the t1e rods used for reinforcing the planes.

Fig. 7 is a. side elevation, partly in section, of one of the webs.

Fig. 8 is a section through one of the webs, taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9-$) of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a reduced longitudinally extending horizontal section through one of the floats.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 1l-1l of Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 13 is a section taken on the line l313 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals it will be seen that the floats are similarly constructed and, therefore, it

is thought that the description of one float will be sufiicient to clearly disclose the construction of both. Therefore, it will be seen that each float comprises a bottom 1, which as herein disclosed is formed of a plurality of wooden strips fitting closely upon each other. These strips 1 are secured in any suitable manner to the longitudinal beams 2 so as to be retained in their correct posi tion. The outer wall 3 is carried upon the side edge of the bottom 1, while the inner curved wall l is carried upon the opposite side edge to that upon which the outer wall 3 is carried. These walls 3 and 4 are connected at their ends and around the end of the bottom 1 by means of the end walls 5. Thus, it will be seen that the walls 3, 4:, and 5 are formed from a blank strip of material which is bent so as to fit around the bottom 1, having its ends brought together as shown at 6 in Fig. 10. and then soldered or otherwise secured in any suitable manner together. Since the inner wall 4: is bowed throughout its entire length there are provided within the float a number of vertical standards 7 which are carried upon the bottom 1 so as to engage the inner surface of the curved inner wall 4 for holding the same from buckling or bending when in operation. It will be seen that the beams 2 have one side edge out so as to conform to the curvature of the inner wall l so that the inner wall tapers or extends outwardly toward its ends, whereby the Widest portion of the bottom 1 will be adjacent its center, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 10. The top 8 is carried upon the upper portion of the walls 3, 4t, and 5, being secured in any suitable manner thereto, thus forming an inclosed float. Because of the fact that the float is hollow having its bottom formed of wood, its buoyancy is greatly increased so as to float adjacent the surface of the water or stream in which the device is placed.

The retaining bars 9 extend through the inner walls 4: of the two floats adjacent their ends so as to have their extreme end portion 10 connected. to each float by means of the bolts 11 that pass through the ends 10 and also through the bottom 1, whereby the links 12 may be passed therethrough for fixedly retaining the bars 9 in engagement with the floats adjacent their ends. As one bar 9 is carried adjacent the ends of the two floats when in an assembled position it will be seen that the floats will be held as a unit and therefore, cannot separate when in use.

A supporting bracket 13 is mounted upon the top 8 of the floats adjacent the curved inner wall 4 thereof. Each bracket has a bolt 14: passing therethrough and engaging the top 8, one bolt passing through each foot 15 of the bracket. Thus, it will be seen that the bracket will be positively anchored in its correct position upon the upper portion of the float adjacent the center thereof. The. shaft 16 is carried upon the upper portions of the brackets 13, since they are carried upon the float in alinement with each other, and. this shaft is adapted to revolve within the bushings 17 as shown in Fig. 9, which bushings are held upon the brackets 13. The clamp 18 fits over each bushing 17 and has the screws 19 passing therethrough and engaging the bracket for holding the clamp 18 in position. A collar 20 is positioned upon the shaft adjacent the end thereof so that there are of course provided two collars which are adapted to engage the inner side surface of the clamp 18 of the bracket 13, and these brackets are keyedupon the shaft 16 by means of the screws 21. Thus, it will be seen that although the shaft will be permitted to freely rotate it will be held against displacement from the brackets and clamps as the same rotates. It is further obvious that if shaft.

so desired the shaft 16 may be extended so as to permit a pulley or any other suitable drive mechanism to be connected-thereto so that when the same rotates the power thereof may be used for performing a desired function.

herein disclosed three webs 22 are car ried upon the shaft although if so desired a greater or less number may be employed. Each web has a central opening 23 formed therein through which the shaft '16 extends. There is also formed a key socket 2 1- communicating with the opening 23 and within this key socket there is carried a key 25, which key also fits within a socket 2t formed in the shaft 16. Thus, it will be seen that as the webs 22 are rotated rotary motion will, of course, be imparted to the These webs have the reduced fingers 26 extending therethrough and within these fingers there are formed a pair of openings 27. It will be noted by referring particu larly to Fig. 1 that the webs are carried upon the shaft so that one web will engage the inner surface of the collar 20, while the remaining web will be centrally disposed upon the shaft. There are provided a number of planes for the lingers 26 of the webs, which planes 28 are formed from a blank as shown most clearly in Fig. 4. These planes are substantially rectangular and have a vertical row of apertures 29 adjacent their side marginal edge and also a row of apertures 29. Comparatively large openings 30 are also formed at each end of the row of apertures 29 and 29 for purposes to be hereinafter set forth.

The angle braces which are substantially L-shaped in cross-section are positioned upon the planes 28 so that an angle bar will extend along each row of apertures 29 and 29 thus employing three angle bars, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The rivets 32 are passed through the angle braces 31 and also through the apertures 29 and 29, thereby permanently and positively holding these angle braces in their correct positions upon the planes 28. Thus, it will be seen thatalthough the planes 28 are formed of blank sheets of metalfthey will be held in their correct shape and prevented from bending or buckling due to excessive pressure thereon when the device is in use. The planes 28 are positioned upon the fingers of the webs 22 so as to permit a plurality of the enlarged openings 30, ad acent one side edge of the frame to register with a plurality of the openings 27 formed in the fingers 26 of the webs 22. After the openings 30 are positioned so as to register with the openings 27 at the extreme outer surface of the fingers 26, as shown in Fig. 3, the threaded necks 33 of the tie rods 34: may be passed therethrough for receiving the nuts 35, thereby holding the inner ends of the planes in an cifically it might be stated that each tie adjusted set position upon the fingers 26 of the webs 22. The outer ends of the tie rods 34:, however, have their ends 35 bent at right angles to their main body portions, and these ends 35 are externally threaded and passed through the enlarged openings adjacent the outer edge of the planes 28. After this the nuts 37 are passed through the threads 36 of the ends for reinforcing the outer portions of the planes when pressure is brought to bear thereon. It should be noted by referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3 that the tie rods 3st extend from the planes 28 carried upon a plurality of the fingers and the ends adjacent the fingers of the webs, thus obtaining a fulcrum-like action which will, of course, positively reinforce the outer ends of the planes. Or more sperod will engage one plane carried by one finger and will then extend so as to be connected to the ends adjacent the finger. Thus, it will be seen that when the paddle wheel has been assembled it will be so efliciently reinforced as to prevent a very rigid and substantial construction, thus eliminating any possibility of the accidental displacement of the planes when the device is in operation.

The paddle wheel is carried, as stated above, by the shaft 16 adjacent the central portions of the floats. As the floats are assembled, as hereinbefore set forth, they will provide a channel through which the water will be directed with increased force at the central portions of the floats. Therefore, by positioning the paddle wheel at this portion, the planes thereof will successively receive the force of the current passing between the floats and thus rotary motion will be imparted to the shaft as the paddle wheel rotates. If so desired, the planes may be moved upon the webs so as to permit the tie rods to pass through the openings upon the fingers 26, thus reducing the size of the paddle wheel.

It is of course obvious that if so desired, the bars 9 may be provided with eyes 38 to which the chains 39 may be connected, so

that the chains may anchor the motor in a desired position in a stream or any other body of water. It is further obvious that the motor may be turned so as to permit the water to flow between the floats in either direction and under such conditions the motor may operate very efiiciently owing to the fact that the planes are so reinforced as to prevent their buckling or bending or being rendered inoperative when the same are in use.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very efficient tidal motor has been provided wherein the floats being of a hollow construction are very buoyant and because of the shape of their inner portions will direct an increased supply of Water therebetween which by engaging the planes of the paddle wheel will cause the same to rotate, while the construction of the wheel is such as to make a very rigid structure, capable of creating considerable power, without danger of the wheel itself being injured.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tidal wave motor comprising apair of floats, a paddle wheel comprising a hub member having radially extending spokes, reinforced blades and means for holding the blades to the spokes comprising a series of rods serving to tie the blades at their inner ends to the spokes and to brace the outer end of the next succeeding blade, substantially as described.

2. In a tidal motor having floats, a paddle wheel supported thereby comprising a hub with radiating spokes, a series of blades, and tie rods passing through said spokes and connecting with the inner end of one blade and the upper end of the next succeeding blade, substantially as described.

3. In a tidal motor, floats, and a paddle wheel mounted on said floats, comprising a hub with radiating spokes, a series of blades reinforced at their ends and center and a series of tie rods for each set of blades passing through the spokes and tying the inner end of one blade to the spoke and to the outer end of the next succeeding blade, sub stantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my gnature.

HENRY MONROE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

